Mizuno Women's Wave Inspire 17 Running Shoe

Product Information

Overall, I’m really impressed with the latest iteration of the Wave Inspire 17. Some worry about the weight of these stability shoes, but the rejuvenated foam technology throughout the midsole provides for a surprisingly fast and smooth ride. On the medial side, the wave plate has a double fan, this serves the same purpose as a medial post would in a traditional trainer. The wave plate is evident from the moment the trainer is on and takes some miles to get used to it. It has a 12mm drop for both men and women. This is a little on the higher side but I enjoyed wearing these on runs the day after I did a speed workout or when my calves just felt sore. Mizuno’s Cloudwave midsole flexes with the heel on impact for a softer ride that still feels stable. Lakota Gambill The Wave Inspire has a 12mm drop, which takes some getting used to. The sole unit has two distinct personalities.

It takes a tough shoe to be called a workhorse, and this is just what the Mizuno Wave Inspire 17s are. The Wave Inspire 18’s midsole also features a bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compound in the midsole. Traditional TPU foams are made with petroleum or natural gas, while Mizuno’s bio-based plastic is made from renewable materials. You can enjoy a smooth, cushioned ride while feeling good about your impact on the environment. The cushioning of the midsole underwent some changes which have slightly affected the ride. Mizuno ENERZY is a softer and lighter cushioning found in heel portions. Beyond ten miles, I started to feel my feet fatiguing a bit more, but even with the fatigue, I have felt the stability design keeping my feet from harm’s way. I was able to run mostly roads, but I added in some gravel, grass, dirt, and asphalt, and felt great on all surfaces. Wet or dry, hot or cold, the outsoles have performed wonderfully.Founded in 1906 by two brothers, Rihachi and Rizo Mizuno, in Osaka, Japan, the brand rose to prominence with the Air Genova ST shoe, which featured an early version of its “wave plate” technology—a novel midsole design that offered a distinctively stable running feel. Mizuno then set out to build the ultimate speed shoe, which resulted in the Racing Star 100 in 1988. The light and highly flexible design proved successful: In 1991, Carl Lewis wore a pair to break the men’s 100-meter dash record. Out of the box, the Inspire 17s feel like it's ready for miles to come. If they perform anything like the previous generations I have run in, they will be around for just about as long as you wish. Mizuno switched to its proven U4ic foam for the midsole under the forefoot, which is a little firmer than the Enerzy in the heel. That firmer forefoot creates a stable, responsive platform that really works for one reviewer. The G3 compound used in the outsole saves weight over traditional rubber, and has been enhanced with a more durable G3-DR compound to keep it durable. As a result, it’s built to withstand plenty of mileage.

The fit of the heel is incredibly important for overpronating runners; I’m one of them. I’ve been impressed since day one with just how comfortable and secure the heel collar is for the Wave Inspire 17s. The Neo Wind is designed for speed training. In our testing, we found it feels best when pushed to tempo pace. The midsole features Enerzy Lite foam and a wave plate, both of which are made from castor beans. The result? The midsole serves up a firm sensation that’s ideal for speed, though it might feel too unforgiving for slower runs. You’ll notice this from the MIZUNO WAVE plate in the midsole area. I felt all over cushioning in the upper along with how breathable they felt. If you want to know more about Mizuno’s distinctive designs, we’ll outline the main tech that goes into its shoes, from wave plates to newer cushioning foams. If you want to try a pair, we’ve also highlighted the best Mizuno shoes you can get right now.

This is Mizuno’s 18th variation of their classic stability training shoe. It makes its debut with some updates but stays true to its original design. Like previous versions, the foams are cut into an asymmetrical wave shape, which causes the midsole to resist bending laterally. When you land, that stiffness helps counter overpronation in your stride. At the same time, the wave shape allows the shoe to flex from heel to toe, so it moves with your foot and promotes smooth transitions from landing to toe-off. There was a noticeable difference between the ENERZY cushioning and the U4ICx used in previous editions. Mizuno’s ENERZY foam shines in the midsole, offering a blend of softness and energy return not typically seen in stability shoes. You may have experienced Mizuno ENERZY foam in the Wave Rider 25 or the Wave Sky 5.

If you love the Mizuno Wave Inspire for ladies and men in this range, you may also want to explore the rest of our Mizuno collection. This range includes some of the brands most popular running shoes, such as Mizuno Wave 25, Mizuno Wave Rebellion, Mizuno Wave Sky 5, and Mizuno Wave Rider. The Mizuno Wave Inspire 17 was the first edition of the Inspire to use ENERZY foam in the midsole, and the Inspire 18 continues that tradition. The result is a softer, bouncier feeling than previous models.The U4IC cushioning above the wave plate has also been increased. While I appreciate the changes I can honestly say the ride was very similar to the last edition’s. The plate is stiffer and more durable than the surrounding midsole foam, so it compresses less under your weight. That extra durability helps the midsole wear evenly, giving you a more stable ride throughout the life of the shoe. I love that the Inspire 17 gives me the stability that I need without feeling overly stiff,” one reviewer says. “It feels flexible in the forefoot but I still feel supported.” Although, a roomier toe box would have been welcomed. The ample cushioning is welcomed, but it adds to the narrow fit.

The Wave Inspire is a narrow fit from heel to toe. Although my feet didn’t feel compressed, there definitely was no space for my feet to splay. Like in Mizuno’s other models, the wedge of Enerzy foam in the heel of the Inspire 17 lends the shoe a softer touch and bouncier response. The placement gives it a more cushioned feel on landing, and it helps the shoe roll smoothly into the forefoot transition. the weight and heel to toe drop both fall on the high side of things (11 oz. and 12mm, respectively), but one rarely notices the weight or the height because of the consistency in design throughout the shoe, The Wave Inspire 18 feels supportive because of Mizuno’s Wave Plate, but it still has a decent amount of flexibility. The Wave Plate also adds a touch of responsiveness as well, which I noticed during my strides,” Caroline says. The latest Inspire dons either a conventional mesh upper or a knit upper, depending on your preference. The mesh is soft and light, which adds a plushness to the overall fit. Alongside a lightly padded tongue and cushioned heel collar, the shoe offers even more comfort.

The surprise for me, however, is just how bouncy and light they feel as well. Are you looking for a stable ride, while also having some pep in your step? These may be ready for a race or two down the road as well! Surprisingly agile given its weight A pair of lighter racing variants, Enerzy Lite and Enerzy Lite Plus foams, give the Wave Rebellion Pro a snappy, propulsive ride while saving weight. Enerzy Lite is formulated for maximum energy return–Mizuno claims it delivers 35 percent more energy return than U4ic–while the even lighter Enerzy Lite Plus minimizes weight and maximizes softness.